Anarchy could not be a substitute for governance: President

January 27, 2014 2:30 pm

Agencies, New Delhi
While calling upon those in office to eliminate the trust deficit between them and the people, President Pranab Mukherjee, however, warned political parties against making promises it could not fulfil and said anarchy could not be a substitute for governance. In his address to the Nation on the eve of Republic Day, the President said, ’’Those in office must eliminate the trust deficit between them and the people. Those in politics should understand that every election comes with a warning sign: perform, or perish. For us, the Democracy is not a gift, but the fundamental right of every citizen; for those in power democracy is a sacred trust. Those who violate this trust commit sacrilege against the nation.’’

At the same time, the President warned political parties not to make promises it could not fulfil to people during elections. ’’Elections do not give any person the licence to flirt with illusions. Those who seek the trust of voters must promise only what is possible. Govt is not a charity shop. Populist anarchy cannot be a substitute for governance.

False promises lead to disillusionment, which gives birth to rage, and that rage has one legitimate target: those in power. This rage will abate only when governments deliver what they were elected to deliver: social and economic progress, not at a snail’s pace, but with the speed of a racehorse. The aspirational young Indian will not forgive a betrayal of her future.’’

My Fellow Citizens:
On the eve of 65 th Republic Day, I extend warm greetings to all of you in India and abroad. I convey my special greetings to members of our Armed Forces, Paramilitary Forces and Internal Security Forces. The Republic Day commands the respect of every Indian.

On this day, sixty four years ago, in a remarkable display of idealism and courage, we the people of India gave to ourselves a sovereign democratic republic to secure all its citizens justice, liberty and equality. We undertook to promote among all citizens fraternity, the dignity of the individual and the unity of the nation.

These ideals became the lodestar of the modern Indian State. Democracy became our most precious guide towards peace and regeneration from the swamp of poverty created by centuries of colonial rule. From within the spacious provisions of our Constitution, India has grown into a beautiful, vibrant, and sometimes noisy democracy. For us, the democracy is not a gift, but the fundamental right of every citizen; for those in power democracy is a sacred trust. Those who violate this trust commit sacrilege against the nation.Jai Hind!